Paradise, Nevada
Encyclopedia
Paradise is an unincorporated town
in the Las Vegas metropolitan area
in Clark County, Nevada
, United States
. The population was 223,167 at the 2010 census. As an unincorporated town, it is governed by the Clark County Commission with input from the Paradise Town Advisory Board.
Paradise contains McCarran International Airport
, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
, and most of the Las Vegas Strip
, including well-known hotels such as Caesars Palace
, the Palms, and the MGM Grand
. Therefore, many tourists visiting the Las Vegas area actually spend most of their time in Paradise, rather than in the City of Las Vegas. Despite this, Paradise remains relatively unknown, since “Paradise, NV” does not appear in postal addresses. The United States Postal Service
has assigned “Las Vegas, NV” as the place name for the ZIP codes containing Paradise. Nonetheless, if Paradise were to be incorporated, it would be one of the largest cities in Nevada.
of the Flamingo
, lobbied the county commissioners for township status, which would prevent the city from annexing the land without the commission's approval. The commission voted to create the unincorporated township of Paradise on December 8, 1950. This was only the beginning of a campaign by the county commission to protect its own authority by limiting the growth of Las Vegas and other cities in the county.
In April 1951 the town of Paradise "A" was founded, followed by a Paradise "B" in January 1952. Paradise "A" was renamed Winchester, Nevada
and Paradise "B" was renamed to Paradise, Nevada in 1953.
At the 2000 census, Paradise was the largest unincorporated community in the United States. In terms of population, Paradise had more residents than many major cities.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the census-designated place
(CDP) of Paradise (which may not coincide exactly with the town boundaries) has a total area of 46.7 square miles (121 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 186,070 people, 77,209 households, and 43,314 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 3,947.3 people per square mile (1,524.0/km²). There were 85,398 housing units at an average density of 1,811.6 per square mile (699.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 72.51% White, 6.59% African American, 0.77% Native American, 6.52% Asian, 0.59% Pacific Islander, 8.37% from other races
, and 4.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.47% of the population.
There were 77,209 households out of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% were married couples
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.9% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 21.2% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 109.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $39,376, and the median income for a family was $46,578. Males had a median income of $31,412 versus $25,898 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $21,258. 11.8% of the population and 8.1% of families were below the poverty line. 15.3% of those under the age of 18 and 7.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Unincorporated towns in Nevada
Nevada state law allows for governance of unincorporated towns under two different systems. The Unincorporated Town Government Law, adopted in 1975, applies to counties of 100,000 people or more, and any other county that opts in...
in the Las Vegas metropolitan area
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
in Clark County, Nevada
Clark County, Nevada
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,375,765 people, 512,253 households, and 339,693 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 71.6% White , 9.1% Black, 5.7% Asian, 0.8% American Indian and 12.8% of other or mixed race. 22.0% were Hispanic of any race...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 223,167 at the 2010 census. As an unincorporated town, it is governed by the Clark County Commission with input from the Paradise Town Advisory Board.
Paradise contains McCarran International Airport
McCarran International Airport
McCarran International Airport is the principal commercial airport serving Las Vegas and Clark County, Nevada, United States. The airport is located five miles south of the central business district of Las Vegas, in the unincorporated area of Paradise in Clark County. It covers an area of and...
, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a public, coeducational university located in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, Nevada, USA. The campus is located approximately east of the Las Vegas Strip. The institution includes a Shadow Lane Campus, located just east of the University Medical Center of...
, and most of the Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
, including well-known hotels such as Caesars Palace
Caesars Palace
Caesars Palace is a luxury hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, an unincorporated township in Clark County, Nevada, United States in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Caesars Palace is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Corp....
, the Palms, and the MGM Grand
MGM Grand Las Vegas
The MGM Grand Las Vegas is a hotel casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The MGM Grand is the third largest hotel in the world and largest hotel resort complex in the United States in front of The Venetian. The MGM Grand was the largest hotel in the world when it opened in...
. Therefore, many tourists visiting the Las Vegas area actually spend most of their time in Paradise, rather than in the City of Las Vegas. Despite this, Paradise remains relatively unknown, since “Paradise, NV” does not appear in postal addresses. The United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
has assigned “Las Vegas, NV” as the place name for the ZIP codes containing Paradise. Nonetheless, if Paradise were to be incorporated, it would be one of the largest cities in Nevada.
History
In 1950, mayor Ernie Cragin of Las Vegas, looking to fund an ambitious building agenda and pay down the city's rising debt, sought to expand the city's tax base by annexing the Las Vegas Strip. A group of casino executives, led by Gus GreenbaumGus Greenbaum
Gus Greenbaum was a member of the Chicago Outfit and syndicate accountant for Las Vegas casino operations.An associate of Meyer Lansky, Greenbaum joined his organization on New York's Lower East Side in the mid or late 1910s...
of the Flamingo
Flamingo Las Vegas
The Flamingo Las Vegas is a hotel casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada and is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Corp.. The property offers a casino along with 3,626 hotel rooms...
, lobbied the county commissioners for township status, which would prevent the city from annexing the land without the commission's approval. The commission voted to create the unincorporated township of Paradise on December 8, 1950. This was only the beginning of a campaign by the county commission to protect its own authority by limiting the growth of Las Vegas and other cities in the county.
In April 1951 the town of Paradise "A" was founded, followed by a Paradise "B" in January 1952. Paradise "A" was renamed Winchester, Nevada
Winchester, Nevada
Winchester is a census-designated place in Clark County, Nevada, United States that contains part of the Las Vegas Strip. It is one of a number of CDPs in the unincorporated urbanized area directly south of Las Vegas. The population was 26,958 at the 2000 census. It is governed by the Clark County...
and Paradise "B" was renamed to Paradise, Nevada in 1953.
At the 2000 census, Paradise was the largest unincorporated community in the United States. In terms of population, Paradise had more residents than many major cities.
Geography
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) of Paradise (which may not coincide exactly with the town boundaries) has a total area of 46.7 square miles (121 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 186,070 people, 77,209 households, and 43,314 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,947.3 people per square mile (1,524.0/km²). There were 85,398 housing units at an average density of 1,811.6 per square mile (699.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 72.51% White, 6.59% African American, 0.77% Native American, 6.52% Asian, 0.59% Pacific Islander, 8.37% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 4.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.47% of the population.
There were 77,209 households out of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.9% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 21.2% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 109.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $39,376, and the median income for a family was $46,578. Males had a median income of $31,412 versus $25,898 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $21,258. 11.8% of the population and 8.1% of families were below the poverty line. 15.3% of those under the age of 18 and 7.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.